DGblk93

Hi all-

I recently had a problem that caused me to have to replace my oil cooler (touring, single cooler).

moehler lives near me and hooked me up quickly with one he had laying around - great guy, awesome car. Thanks dude!

The cooler he gave me has some bent fins, normal stuff. One area has a sort of mangled spot where it looks like someone took a pencil or something and just jammed a few fins. Otherwise - the hard lines or sturdy areas between the fins are in good shape and everything else seems to be fine.

So the question is - would bent fins cause this thing to leak? Even in the little spot where they are so smashed you can't see through. I don't believe that oil actually touches the fins - or am I wrong?

I have pics but I can never seem to load them up to the site. Some people get huge pictures on here and I still haven't figured that out

Thanks!
Dave

CantGoStraight

The fins are what the air passes over to cool the tubes the oil is actually running through. If it's a small area it shouldn't pose any problem as long as the tube is undamaged I'm sure Matt gave you a serviceable cooler. The pictures you see on the forum are generally hosted pictures. You can get free hosting from places like imageshack, and photobucket to name a couple. Jack

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

You'll want to straighten the fins before you install it. Bent fins will restrict the airflow thus cutting down on your coolling.

Sgtblue

iTrader: (16)

I would be easier off the car, but once or twice a year I use a long plastic pick and (carefully) straighten the fins of mine. Once bent, they seem to flatten out a bit easier, but other than being tedious, it's not a tough job.

moehler

iTrader: (12)

Hey Dave. Although I think you'll be fine, if you are concerned you can pm "eastondle" and see how the cooler worked on his car. I bought it from him 3 or 4 months ago and he said they (I bought both) worked perfectly. Good luck & let me know how it turns out .

It's an area about 1/2 inch wide and one row high. The fins are totally busted for maybe 1/3 of an inch deep. Unless done professionally, there is no easy way to straighten them out. Since it's such a small area, I don't think cooling will be affected in any measurable amount.

DGblk93

Thanks guys. I straightened them out as best as I could last night. I think that one area is a total loss but it's so small I don't think it will affect the overall performance.

Matt - thanks again for hooking me up. I owe you. Dropped off the cooler today and the paint was done, wheels on etc..
Took some pics but then my camera crapped out on me. I'll post pics soon when I get this thing straightened out with CompUSA.

Thanks -

Dave

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

moehler,

Don't get me wrong, I wasn't suggesting you sold him a bum product. Fins on radiators, IC's and oil coolers take a beating. There are bound to be some fins bent unless the thing as never been used.

DGblk93

Might I just add that Moehler definetly did not give me anything bad at all. We both looked at the part together and I was happy to take it from him
Again - he really helped me out. Mahjik - I didn't think you were ragging on him. Thanks Moehler!